Fort Clinch

[crashdive123]

My wife and I went on a hike today in Fort Clinch State Park. The day was mostly overcast, but bright. While in the wooded areas very little direct sunlight filters through the overhead canopy. On one side of the park there were openings onto the tidal marshes. The other side of the park had ancient sand dunes as part of the terrain. Toward the northern end of the park it opens up onto Fort Clinch, a Civil War era fort. Atlantic Ocean to the east, St. Mary’s River to the north, marshes and Intracostal Water Way to the west. Just across the St. Mary’s River is Cumberland Island, Georgia.

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[crashdive123]

Some of the critters I saw today.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Fort%20Clinch/FortClinch004.jpg

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[crashdive123]

The fort.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Fort%20Clinch/FortClinch110.jpg

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[crashdive123]

Some of the plant life.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Fort%20Clinch/FortClinch037.jpg

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[Winnie]

As usual great pics. The fort is very reminscent of Fort Nelson in Portsmouth(England)

[buddhabaron]

Do you reside in Nassau county or are you just visiting?

[crashdive123]

Do you reside in Nassau county or are you just visiting?

Duval - and you? Wait - don't answer that. You can tell us a bit about yourself in the Introduction section over here -> http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14

[doug1980]

Very cool. Looks like you all had a great time.

[WildHog]

I think the Southeast United States is the most beautiful area. God's country to me (Kinda partial anyway....SC) Beautiful pics. Please show more

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Crash in post #4 picture #7(next to the last one) looks like wax myrtle - bush / small tree. This looks like it anyway, Wax myrtle can be used in candle making(obviously the wax) and as seasoning anywhere you would use Bay leaves. IIRC it is Myrica cerifera I really would need to see the whole bush to be sure.
Just a second and I'll look it up... Yep that is the correct name. Another use that you won't find in the Peterson guide is that it has some insect repellent qualities, around home people commonly plant them around dog kennels to help cut down on pests. You sure do make me homesick showing all those pics....sigh..

[crashdive123]

Poco - here's one with a bit more of the leaf detail.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Fort%20Clinch/FortClinch064.jpg

This tree/bush was right next to it (touching) and the berries looked identical.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Fort%20Clinch/FortClinch065.jpg

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Ok that is it Crash. That's a GOOD plant to know. The other one is a type of cedar but I don't recall which one(not that there that many in your region)

[crashdive123]

One of the things that I've been doing on my walks is to take pictures of plants and then work on identifying them. As Poco said - post number 4 - 2nd and 7th pictures are of Wax Myrtle, also called Southern Bayberry - Myrica cerifera. The 4th picture is of Sweet Goldenrod - Solidago odora. The 8th picture is of American Beauty Bush, also called French Mulberry - Callicarpa americana. The 3rd picture is of Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia humifusa. I'm working on the rest - it's getting late though.

[canid]

i use california bay leaves in much of my cooking. i have to say i like it better than any commercially sold mediterranean bay i've bought.

[flandersander]

you know whats funny, i still have a muzzle loader that shoots .58 lead balls. Can hardly find them anymore, all you see is .50. Sigh.

[Rick]

Nice pics. Do you or anyone know if Spanish Moss makes a good fire starter? Also, I seem to remember someone saying it harbors chiggers?

[crashdive123]

It does harbor chiggers. I know that dried Spanish Moss makes great tinder, not sure about any that you would gather off the trees. I'll gather some the next time I pass any and give it a try.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

In regards to what Rick and crash are talking about - Spanish moss. Sorry but I don't have any books that it is in,but I'll tell you what I can recall.
Spanish Moss is an epiphyte (Gets it's nutrients from the air),it is related to the pineapple. It is NOT a parasite as many believe. It was used for Padding in furniture and bedding(after being baked in an oven to kill chiggers and other inhabitants) You should be careful when collecting Spanish Moss as some birds and even some bats roost in it and even make nests in it. The biggest concentrations of chiggers is that,what is close to the ground. Once dead, it will burn but is not a good fire starter,it will make a good "bird's nest" though.However when starting a fire from coals, it will act as insulation kinda' concentrating the heat,while allowing air to circulate. That's about all I can remember but I last read up on it about 90-94,probably forgot some stuff. Oh yeah, it does have flowers,but most people never even notice since they are so small. Small about the size of a small nail head and green 3 petaled. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Rick]

That was pretty good help if you ask me.